Following the team with a unique perspective on all things Phillies.Email me: PhilliesPhollowers@comcast.net – Peace, Love & Baseball – Jenn

The Black Cloud

Yesterday, the Blue Jays became a plague of locusts, nibbling away at the Phillies one by one.Tonight, the black cloud remained over Citizens Bank Park as the Baltimore Orioles strolled into town and picked up where the Jays left off.Will the curse of interleague play ever end?Not soon enough; definitely not soon enough.

Last year, the Phillies won 3 games in interleague play.So far this year?3 games.Fans have been left wondering if a curse has been placed upon the Phillies.Despite a decent performance from rookie pitcher, Antonio Bastardo, the Phillies could not muster a win.Bastardo allowed 4 runs in 7 innings, but at least one of those runs was not his fault.John Mayberry Jr., a rookie playing for the injured Raul Ibanez, missed a ball in left field that should have been caught which scored the 4th run.

But Mayberry had an ok day at the plate, going 2 for 4, so that made up a bit for the defense.The rest of the offense though did little to help Mayberry out in his quest to get on base.Jayson Werth had two hits, but any other form of production was few and far between.In fact, there were only 2 other hits and 5 walks from the Phillies offense in the entire game.

Jack Taschner pitched the 8th and 9th and gave the O’s a little more cushion when he allowed a solo homer in the 9th.And that was followed by 2 more runs on a couple of singles with 2 outs in the inning.When it rains, it pours.And so the Phillies continue to circle the drain, losing this one by a score of 7-2.

Is this team doomed to fail in interleague play or is this run of 6 losses in 7 games simply the darkness before the dawn?I hope the sun comes out soon…real soon.

Well, if you are still in the mood, go ahead and VOTE for your Phillies All-Stars!VOTE up to 25 times per day, per email address.Let’s get these guys to St. Louis to provide just a small ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark and dreary day.

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